Live A Live

"A decent RPG"

---Intro----

Live a Live is an RPG that most do not know about (I didn't know about it until recently) And it is also very old. This game was made by square (Which is a good sign since square makes the best RPGs I have seen) And this game is pretty unique compared to many other RPGs today. In this review I will explain why.

Story/Plot: 8

The story/plot seems to be pretty decent in this game. There are few in just this game alone. You can choose between chapters (Each one having a main character and new story) So the plot is pretty strong. As each chapter is almost like a whole new game. Each chapter has it's own story/plot. Which is good in my opinion. Example they have a wild west theme chapter and a sci fi chapter ect... Each chapter carrying a rather decent story/plot. And since square made this you can know why. It gives a dramatic feeling in each one (Like when some one dies or you find out the truth about something) And this is what I look for in a square game. Square always gave me this feeling in nearly every game they made. This is one of them. And this is what I look for in story/plots that are complex. I look for dramatic things that just want you to shed a tear at the situation. Or when you are going to embark on some action (like a fearsome boss). But where the story/plot really lacks is when you complete all the chapters. When you complete all the chapters you get to pick one main character from one chapter. And then that character will be the one you use through the rest of the game (Which isn't much after completing the chapters) The story/plot isn't good at this point because it is none existent. You can go anywhere you want. The only part in this final chapter that has any story/plot at all is the final boss. Which you can fight as soon as you enter the final chapter if you want. And this is when I felt the game was about to start. And to my knowledge it was really ending not starting. So overall since this game consist in many plots it is very good. But since that part on the final chapter is where the plot fell to the floor...

Graphics: 4

The Graphics of this game are really bad. They look slightly better than an average NES game. But in battle the graphics look a lot better. But not enough to deserve a good score in my review. I am not sure why they did this but maybe they made the graphics so lacking for more space...Also, I think the graphics was actually a style the game took. They consisted of small, Blocky sprites. And it actually looked like they wanted the graphics to be like this. But I don't like it. It makes everything look a little too blocky. So overall...Well I can't say that as how if I compared it to other games won't be fair..As all the other games seem to be better graphically. But you will soon get used to it and learn to ignore how ugly and blocky everything is.

Sound: 5

Nothing special about the sound here...It really is just there...It does not annoy nor does it please you in any way...The slice sounds of swords are not done too well. The sounds sometimes become disturbing but nothing you can't handle. They are just there because every game needs sound. Overall it isn't really that good at all.

Music: 9

Another thing square always does good in their games is music. They always some how fit good music into their games. You actually would like to hear the music over and over (Like the boss theme which is done very nicely). And they put you right into the mood. Example: If someone just died you hear some very sad music. It does it so nicely. And square has always done things like that in their games. Overall the music is great. Some themes you would love to hear. And some you don't like to hear but fit you into the mood perfectly.

Game Play: 7

This game is like most normal RPGs. It doesn't really have anything special. And I feel like they didn't spend to much time in this department. The Game Play is basically the story. Battles are rather boring (Except for their music) and tend to get annoying. Growing levels is needed like any RPG but some bosses or enemies seem to be too strong. And, the fact that in most chapters there aren't even enough enemies to level up of off to kill the over rated bosses of strength which are secrets at times. But in the final chapter they put in the encounter thing that all RPGs seem to have. Which seems to annoy as how many times you will have to battle. And all the enemies are hard to kill even at the highest level with the best weapons and armor. Which extremely pisses me off. Also, You can run away from battles. And it always works (Unless you are fighting a boss) The problem is in the final chapter if you run away 100 times you fight an extremely deadly boss. And if you save on the 99th time and CAN'T kill the boss because you are too low of a level then you can get stuck. And have to make a new game and start all over again. Which is just wrong. Overall this game has the normal RPG elements most RPG games have. With nothing special. The Game Play really is one of this game's weak point.

Replay Value: 3

Sadly, You don't want to play this game again after the first time. As there really isn't that much to come back for. There are only little things you can do different in some parts of the game (Example: There is one guy in the wild west chapter that tries to kill you. You can choose to kill him or to spare him at one point. Depending on what you do he might or might not be at the ending credits when you beat the game)But nothing you really would like to spend time on unless you are extremely bored. But it is good to play through once. And once only. Unless you really liked it. Which I doubt you will like it that much. Especially since the longer you play this game the more annoying it becomes. Overall there is no replay value except for little tiny things you can do differently in the story.

Overall: 8

Overall this is a decent RPG. Nothing more or nothing less. It is decent enough to buy and own but not good enough to play over and over again and become a total freak of (Like Final Fantasy). So, it is just another RPG made by square. And I think they didn't put too much effort in making this title. But nonetheless it is still a decent game worth playing through once.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/01/02, Updated 08/01/02